Nonlinguistic representation is an instructional strategy in which students are to create representations of lesson material using a variety of different learning styles such as audio, visual, and kinetic. Students will engage in activities allowing them to simulate the knowledge they are in the process of acquiring. Nonlinguistic representations allow students to further explore the content of the knowledge as they display their understandings of the content.
Nonlinguistic representations provides a correlation of the content in the lesson with mental images the students create. More so than just visual images, nonlinguistic representations include using the empirical senses such as taste, smell, hearing, and touch to further the understanding of the knowledge being presented.
While nonlinguistic representations are often more time consuming than the alternative linguistic representations, the benefits to student learning can be significant. When using nonlinguistic representations teachers should consider:
allowing students to work in small groups
allowing for enough time needed to gain the greatest educational benefit from the activity
encouraging creative expression
use of lesson appropriate software and technology to enhance activities
meet the needs of different students with learning styles
model nonlinguistic representation examples for students
provide feedback
share the end products of nonlinguistic instructional assignments with parents using social media
Examples of nonlinguistic representations in the classroom: Role play- students can act the content of the lesson. If the classroom is studying and reading Shakespeare, perhaps the students would act out scenes from the play as the teacher reads the contents aloud. Using technology: A video can be created of students dramatizing course material and shared on a classroom blog.
Sketching- Students can draw about what they are learning. If the classroom is studying poetry, students can sketch their emotional reactions to the poetic lyrics. Using technology: graphic designing software can be used to sketch, edit, and revise drawings.
Photo Credit: Jean-Baptiste LABRUNE via Flickr.
Constructing physical models- Students can create actual models to represent the lesson content. If the classroom is discussing the solar system, students can work in groups to create models of the solar system that can later be displayed in the classroom. Using technology: Virtual recreations of the solar system can be explored.
Photo Credit: Ryan Dickey via Flickr
. Graphic organizers- Students can use geometric patterns to help organize ideas. The main idea can be written in a circle centered in the page, from there supporting concepts will be written in circles connecting to the main idea with lines. If the students are writing a creative essay, graphic organizers can help sort ideas and enhance the creative process. Using of technology:Students can use software such as Microsoft Power Point or bubbl.us to create and later share graphic organizers with peers.
Storyboards- Students can create a collection of images, drawings, paintings, and words to a story. If the class is learning about insects, students can draw their favorite insects, include a description, and the classrooms drawings can be combine to create a storyboard. Using technology: Students drawings can be uploaded or originally created on the computer. Using a software program, such as Power Point, Prezi, StoryBird or ZooBurst. Teachers can create a video to later share with students and parents via the classroom blog or wiki.
Pictographs- Students can use symbols to represent other items. If students are learning to solve math word problems, solutions can be accompanied by pictographs or solved using pictographs.
Nonlinguistic representation is an instructional strategy in which students are to create representations of lesson material using a variety of different learning styles such as audio, visual, and kinetic. Students will engage in activities allowing them to simulate the knowledge they are in the process of acquiring. Nonlinguistic representations allow students to further explore the content of the knowledge as they display their understandings of the content.
Nonlinguistic representations provides a correlation of the content in the lesson with mental images the students create. More so than just visual images, nonlinguistic representations include using the empirical senses such as taste, smell, hearing, and touch to further the understanding of the knowledge being presented.
While nonlinguistic representations are often more time consuming than the alternative linguistic representations, the benefits to student learning can be significant. When using nonlinguistic representations teachers should consider:
Examples of nonlinguistic representations in the classroom:
Role play- students can act the content of the lesson. If the classroom is studying and reading Shakespeare, perhaps the students would act out scenes from the play as the teacher reads the contents aloud. Using technology: A video can be created of students dramatizing course material and shared on a classroom blog.
Sketching- Students can draw about what they are learning. If the classroom is studying poetry, students can sketch their emotional reactions to the poetic lyrics. Using technology: graphic designing software can be used to sketch, edit, and revise drawings.
Photo Credit: Jean-Baptiste LABRUNE via Flickr.
Constructing physical models- Students can create actual models to represent the lesson content. If the classroom is discussing the solar system, students can work in groups to create models of the solar system that can later be displayed in the classroom. Using technology: Virtual recreations of the solar system can be explored.
Photo Credit: Ryan Dickey via Flickr
.
Graphic organizers- Students can use geometric patterns to help organize ideas. The main idea can be written in a circle centered in the page, from there supporting concepts will be written in circles connecting to the main idea with lines. If the students are writing a creative essay, graphic organizers can help sort ideas and enhance the creative process. Using of technology: Students can use software such as Microsoft Power Point or bubbl.us to create and later share graphic organizers with peers.
Storyboards- Students can create a collection of images, drawings, paintings, and words to a story. If the class is learning about insects, students can draw their favorite insects, include a description, and the classrooms drawings can be combine to create a storyboard. Using technology: Students drawings can be uploaded or originally created on the computer. Using a software program, such as Power Point, Prezi, StoryBird or ZooBurst. Teachers can create a video to later share with students and parents via the classroom blog or wiki.
Pictographs- Students can use symbols to represent other items. If students are learning to solve math word problems, solutions can be accompanied by pictographs or solved using pictographs.
Photo Credit: Robert Simpson via Flickr.
For more inspirational ideas on how to use nonlinguistic representations to enhance instructional strategies, please click the links below:
Pinterest- Marzano: Nonlinguistic Representations
Graphic Organizer Templates